Next-Generation ArcturusXT™ Laser Capture Microdissection System gives researchers improved speed, flexibility, and precision

MDS Analytical Technologies, a leader in innovative solutions for drug discovery and life sciences research, announced today the launch of the next-generation ArcturusXT™ Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM) system. The ArcturusXT™ system uses the latest advances in microscope technology by employing the new Nikon^® Eclipse Ti-E inverted research microscope as its base. The new ArcturusXT™ system is an advanced version of the first system introduced in 2007. It is the only fully open and modular microdissection system to combine infrared laser-enabled LCM and ultraviolet (UV) laser cutting in a single system. This new technology offers benefits to researchers by improving speed, precision and flexibility during the microdissection process – shortening the length of time required for experiments.

“The next-generation ArcturusXT™ system pushes the limits of laser capture microdissection to add more capability for researchers in a number of fields, including stem cell research, cancer research, forensics, and many others. This new system demonstrates MDS Analytical Technologies’ commitment to advancing the important work being performed within the LCM community,” commented Andy Boorn, President of MDS Analytical Technologies.

The ArcturusXT™ system maintains biomolecular integrity within the microdissected samples for use in downstream analyses. Whether researchers are using LCM alone or in combination with the UV cutting option, the MDS-exclusive infrared laser capture technology allows for custody of the sample to be maintained throughout the microdissection process. This gives researchers confidence and assurance that the desired material has been collected. The enriched populations of cells collected through this process allow researchers to perform sensitive and specific molecular analyses, otherwise not possible without the use of LCM.

To automatically identify cells for microdissection, MDS Analytical Technologies recently introduced the AutoScanXT™ Image Analysis software module. This module significantly increases the ArcturusXT™ system ease of use, while reducing the time to perform experiments for colorimetric-, fluorescence-, and IHC-stained specimens. Instead of the labor-intensive task of manually selecting each cell or region of interest for analysis, researchers can set the parameters within the AutoScanXT™ software to automatically mark those areas for microdissection.

The ArcturusXT™ system facilitates the microdissection of many different sample types for the greatest flexibility and broadest sample functionality. The combination of LCM and UV laser cutting gives researchers the choice of using plain glass or membrane slides for sample preparation, and enables microdissection from thin or thick sections, frozen or formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues, hydrated or dehydrated samples, forensic smears, whole mount preparations, and more. Additionally, the optional phase contrast and differential interference contrast (DIC) make it possible to eliminate specimen staining, such as with live-cell applications.

The superior optics of the Nikon^® microscope make the ArcturusXT™ system a true dual-purpose instrument by combining the leading LCM technology of the ArcturusXT™ system with the ability to perform high resolution imaging experiments. This is especially important for researchers who also want to use the ArcturusXT™ system as an imaging microscope.

Intuitive operating software and an ergonomic user interface simplify the microdissection process, reducing the overall time required for microdissection experiments, thereby enabling users to begin downstream molecular analyses faster.

The new ArcturusXT™ system will be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2008, April 12-16 in San Diego, California; MDS Analytical Technologies’ booth #1617.